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We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Principals Retreat will be held in Auckland on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
To make travel easier and more cost-effective, we're hosting the event near the airport - so you can fly in and out on the same day if needed. This will be a fantastic opportunity to come together for a strategic and forward-thinking meeting, sharing ideas and setting the course for success. Your input is invaluable, and we truly appreciate the insights and experience you bring to the table.
We'll also be holding the AGM on the same day, making this an important and productive gathering for all.
Time: 9.30 am - followed by networking drinks and bubbles from 4.30 pm - 6 pm
Where: Novotel Auckland Airport
Please save the date - we can't wait to see you there!
Open Home Negligence Costs Agency $1.5m
The homes we sell can have multiple slip and fall hazard risks
Examples include steep pathways, slippery pool tiles, stone floors, mossy pathways
A judge has ruled that assessing, managing and warning of these risks is OUR responsibility
An agency that failed to warn buyers about a steep and slippery driveway has been slammed with a $1.5 million damages order. The judgement serves to highlight the critical value of your agency’s professional indemnity insurance.
In the days leading up to the first open home, the vendor re-painted the driveway (to cover rust marks) and on the morning of the first open home, a light shower made the driveway ‘dangerously slippery’. A prospective purchaser slipped and fell heavily on the driveway, as did the real estate agent when going to help her. The purchaser suffered injuries to her neck, shoulders, right hip and knee, leading to ongoing debilitating pain.
Despite the vendor initially denying having painted the driveway, a judge ruled that the homeowner and agency were guilty of negligence for failing to exercise reasonable care, therefore breaching their duty of care to customers. The particulars of negligence included:
Failing to warn of the risk of slipping on the driveway
Failing to conduct an adequate risk assessment of the slipperiness of the driveway when wet
Failing to place non-slip mats over the driveway prior to the inspection
The learning for all estate agencies is that sales agents have a duty of care to take precautions against the risk of harm at open home inspections. In this instance, the agent could have directed people away from the driveway and asked that they use the stairs to the front door.
First National recommends principals double check their professional indemnity insurance is current, brief property managers and sales agents concerning vigilance for slip and fall risks, and regularly remind staff of their duty of care.